Naphthyl tachykinin receptor antagonists to treat physiological conditions

ABSTRACT

This invention provides methods of treating a physiological disorder associated with an excess of tachykinins in a mammal which comprises administering to a mammal in need of said treatment a compound selected from a series of substituted dihydronaphthalenes and naphthalenes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Tachykinins are a family of peptides which share the common amidated carboxy terminal sequence,

Phe-Xaa-Gly-Leu-Met-NH₂

hereinafter referred to as SEQ ID NO:i. Substance P was the first peptide of this family to be isolated, although its purification and the determination of its primary sequence did not occur until the early 1970's. Substance P has the following amino acid sequence,

Arg-Pro-Lys-Pro-Gln-Gln-Phe-Phe-Gly-Leu-Met-NH₂

hereinafter referred to as SEQ ID NO:2.

Between 1983 and 1984 several groups reported the isolation of two novel mammalian tachykinins, now termed neurokinin A (also known as substance K, neuromedin L, and neurokinin α), and neurokinin B (also known as neuromedin K and neurokinin β). See, J. E. Maggio, Peptides, 6 (Supplement 3):237-243 (1985) for a review of these discoveries. Neurokinin A has the following amino acid sequence,

His-Lys-Thr-Asp-Ser-Phe-Val-Gly-Leu-Met-NH₂

hereinafter referred to as SEQ ID NO:3. The structure of neurokinin B is the amino acid sequence,

Asp-Met-His-Asp-Phe-Phe-Val-Gly-Leu-Met-NH₂

hereinafter referred to as SEQ ID NO:4.

Tachykinins are widely distributed in both the central and peripheral nervous systems, are released from nerves, and exert a variety of biological actions, which, in most cases, depend upon activation of specific receptors expressed on the membrane of target cells. Tachykinins are also produced by a number of non-neural tissues.

The mammalian tachykinins substance P, neurokinin A, and neurokinin B act through three major receptor subtypes, denoted as NK-1, NK-2, and NK-3, respectively. These receptors are present in a variety of organs.

Substance P is believed inter alia to be involved in the neurotransmission of pain sensations, including the pain associated with migraine headaches and with arthritis. These peptides have also been implicated in gastrointestinal disorders and diseases of the gastrointestinal tract such as inflammatory bowel disease. Tachykinins have also been implicated as playing a role in numerous other maladies, as discussed infra.

In view of the wide number of clinical maladies associated with an excess of tachykinins, the development of tachykinin receptor antagonists will serve to control these clinical conditions. The earliest tachykinin receptor antagonists were peptide derivatives. These antagonists proved to be of limited pharmaceutical utility because of their metabolic instability.

In essence, this invention provides a class of potent non-peptide tachykinin receptor antagonists. By virtue of their non-peptide nature, the compounds of the present invention do not suffer from the shortcomings, in terms of metabolic instability, of known peptide-based tachykinin receptor antagonists.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention encompasses methods for the treatment or prevention of a physiological disorder associated with an excess of tachykinins, which method comprises administering to a mammal in need of said treatment a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of Formula I ##STR1## wherein: R² is hydrogen, hydroxy, or C₁ -C₆ alkoxy;

the dotted line represents an optional covalent bond;

Y is hydroxy, or ##STR2## where Y^(a) is a bond, --CH₂ --, or --CH₂ CH₂ --; and R¹ is hydrogen, C₁ -C₆ alkyl, C₁ -C₆ alkoxy, or hydroxy;

R³ is aryloxy, C₁ -C₆ alkoxy, hydroxy or

--Q--(CH₂)_(n) --NR^(a) R^(b)

where,

Q is --O-- or --CH₂ --,

n is 1-6,

R^(a) and R^(b) are independently hydrogen or C₁ -C₆ alkyl or are taken together with the nitrogen to which they are bonded to constitute a heterocyclic ring selected from the group consisting of pyrrolidinyl, piperazinyl, piperidinyl, hexamethyleneiminyl, imidazolinyl, heptamethyleneiminyl, morpholinyl, and N-methylpyrrolidinyl;

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, or prodrug thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The terms and abbreviations used in the instant examples have their normal meanings unless otherwise designated. For example "° C." refers to degrees Celsius; "N" refers to normal or normality; "mmol" refers to millimole or millimoles; "g" refers to gram or grams; "ml" means milliliter or milliliters; "M" refers to molar or molarity; "MS" refers tomass spectrometry; "IR" refers to infrared spectroscopy; and "NMR" refers to nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

As used herein, the term "C₁ -C₆ alkyl" refers to a straight or branched, monovalent, saturated aliphatic chain of 1 to 6 carbon atoms andincludes, but is not limited to, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, t-butyl, pentyl, isopentyl, and hexyl. Similarly, the term "C₁ -C₆ alkyl" refers to a straight or branched, monovalent, saturated aliphatic chain of 4 to 7 carbon atoms.

"Halo" represents chloro, fluoro, bromo or iodo.

"C₁ -C₆ alkoxy" represents a straight or branched alkyl chain having from one to six carbon atoms attached to an oxygen atom. Typical C₁ -C₆ alkoxy groups include methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, isopropoxy, butoxy, t-butoxy, pentoxy and the like.

The term "di(C₁ -C₆ alkyl)amino" refers to a compound of the formula --NR^(x) R^(y) wherein R^(x) and R^(y) are independently aC₁ -C₆ alkyl group. Typical di(C₁ -C₆ alkyl)amino groups include dimethylamino, methylethylamino, diisopropylamino, ethylisopropylamino, and the like.

The term "leaving group" as used herein refers to a group of atoms that is displaced from a carbon atom by the attack of a nucleophile in a nucleophilic substitution reaction. The term "leaving group" as used in this document encompasses, but is not limited to, activating groups.

The term "activating group" as used herein refers a leaving group which, when taken with the carbonyl (-C=O) group to which it is attached, is morelikely to take part in an acylation reaction than would be the case if the group were not present, as in the free acid. Such activating groups are well-known to those skilled in the art and may be, for example, succinimidoxy, phthalimidoxy, benzotriazolyloxy, benzenesulfonyloxy, methanesulfonyloxy, toluenesulfonyloxy, azido, or --O--CO--(C₄ --C₇ alkyl).

Although the free-base form of those compounds of Formula I which have a basic functionality may be used in the methods of the present invention, it is preferred to prepare and use a pharmaceutically acceptable salt form. Thus, the compounds used in the methods of this invention primarily form pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts with a wide variety of organic and inorganic acids, and include the physiologically acceptablesalts which are often used in pharmaceutical chemistry. Such salts are alsopart of this invention.

The term "pharmaceutically acceptable salt" as used herein, refers to saltsof the compounds of the above formula which are substantially non-toxic to living organisms. Typical inorganic acids used to form such salts include hydrochloric, hydrobromic, hydroiodic, nitric, sulfuric, phosphoric, hypophosphoric, and the like. Salts derived from organic acids, such as aliphatic mono and dicarboxylic acids, phenyl substituted alkanoic acids, hydroxyalkanoic and hydroxyalkandioic acids, aromatic acids, aliphatic andaromatic sulfonic acids, may also be used. Such pharmaceutically acceptablesalts thus include acetate, phenylacetate, trifluoroacetate, acrylate, ascorbate, benzoate, chlorobenzoate, dinitrobenzoate, hydroxybenzoate, methoxybenzoate, methylbenzoate, o-acetoxybenzoate, naphthalene-2-benzoate, bromide, isobutyrate, phenylbutyrate, β-hydroxybutyrate, butyne-1,4-dioate, hexyne-1,4-dioate, caprate, caprylate, chloride, cinnamate, citrate, formate, fumarate, glycollate, heptanoate, hippurate, lactate, malate, maleate, hydroxymaleate, malonate,mandelate, mesylate, nicotinate, isonicotinate, nitrate, oxalate, phthalate, terephthalate, phosphate, monohydrogenphosphate, dihydrogenphosphate, metaphosphate, pyrophosphate, propiolate, propionate,phenylpropionate, salicylate, sebacate, succinate, suberate, sulfate, bisulfate, pyrosulfate, sulfite, bisulfite, sulfonate, benzenesulfonate, p-bromophenylsulfonate, chlorobenzenesulfonate, ethanesulfonate, 2-hydroxyethanesulfonate, methanesulfonate, naphthalene-1-sulfonate, naphthalene-2-sulfonate, p-toluenesulfonate, xylenesulfonate, tartarate, and the like. A preferred salt is the hydrochloride salt.

The pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts are typically formed byreacting a compound of Formula I with an equimolar or excess amount of acid. The reactants are generally combined in a mutual solvent such as diethyl ether or ethyl acetate. The salt normally precipitates out of solution within about one hour to 10 days and can be isolated by filtration or the solvent can be stripped off by conventional means.

The pharmaceutically acceptable salts generally have enhanced solubility characteristics compared to the compound from which they are derived, and thus are often more amenable to formulation as liquids or emulsions.

It should be recognized that the particular counterion forming a part of any salt of this invention is usually not of a critical nature, so long asthe salt as a whole is pharmacologically acceptable and as long as the counterion does not contribute undesired qualities to the salt as a whole.

This invention further encompasses the pharmaceutically acceptable solvatesof the compounds of Formula I. Many of the Formula I compounds can combine with solvents such as water, methanol, ethanol and acetonitrile to form pharmaceutically acceptable solvates such as the corresponding hydrate, methanolate, ethanolate and acetonitrilate.

Many of the compounds employed in the present invention are derivatives of naphthalene which are named and numbered according to the Ring Index, The American Chemical Society, as follows. ##STR3##

In a similar manner some of the compounds employed in the present inventionare derivatives of 1,2-dihydronaphthalene which are named and numbered according to the Ring Index as follows. ##STR4##

The compounds employed in the present invention may be prepared essentiallyas described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,230,862, issued to T. Suarez and C. D. Jones on Oct. 28, 1990, which is herein incorporated by reference.

In addition to being useful in the methods of the instant invention, those compounds employed in the methods of this invention in which R³ is hydroxy are useful as intermediates in the preparation of other compounds of this invention. A preferred subclass of the compounds of this inventionare the dihydronaphthalenes, having a basic side chain that is, in the above formula, those compounds in which R³ is

--O--CH₂ --CH₂ --NR^(a) R^(b)

in which --NR^(a) R^(b) are a heterocyclic group or dimethylamino. Especially preferred methods of this invention employ those compounds wherein --NR^(a) R^(b) is pyrrolidino, piperidino, piperazino, or dimethylamino.

The compounds of the present invention can be prepared by a variety of procedures well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. The particular order of steps required to produce the compounds of Formula I is dependent upon the particular compound being synthesized, the starting compound, and the relative lability of the substituted moieties.

The compounds employed in this invention are prepared by the following sequences, the dihydronaphthalene structures in general being precursors to the napththalene compounds.

A. Preparation of Dihydronapthalenyl Compounds

The compounds employed in the methods of the instant invention may be prepared by reacting a tetralone of Formula II ##STR5##in which R^(c) is hydrogen, C₁ -C₆ alkoxy, or benzyloxy with a phenyl benzoate of Formula III ##STR6##in which Y¹ is methoxy, benzyloxy, or --O--(CH₂)_(n) --NR^(a)R^(b). This reaction is generally carried out in the presence of a moderately strong base such as sodium amide and at room temperature or below.

The product which is obtained is a substituted tetralone of Formula IV. ##STR7##This substituted tetralone is then reacted under Grignard reaction conditions with the Grignard reagent of the formula ##STR8##in which R^(1a) is hydrogen, C₁ -C₆ alkoxy, or benzyloxy.

The compounds which are produced, 3-phenyl-4-aroyl-1,2-dihydronaphthalenes,have the following formula, Formula V. ##STR9##

In those instances in which Y¹ is methoxy, a compound of Formula V canbe treated with pyridine hydrochloride at reflux to produce the corresponding hydroxy compound. Under these conditions, should R^(c) or R^(1a) be alkoxy or benzyloxy, these groups will also be cleaved, resulting in hydroxy groups.

In those instances in which Y¹ is methoxy or benzyloxy, and R^(c) orR^(1a) is alkoxy or benzyloxy, the group at Y¹ can be selectively cleaved by treating a compound of Formula V with an equivalent of sodium thioethoxide in N,N-dimethylformamide at a moderately elevated temperatureof about 80° C. to about 90° C. The process of the selective cleavage may be monitored by periodic thin layer chromatography analysis. The reaction is complete when little or no starting material remains.

Once the compound of Formula V in which Y¹ has been converted to hydroxy has been generated, that compound can then be treated with a compound of Formula VII

L--(CH₂)_(n) --NR^(a) R^(b) VII

wherein L is a good leaving group such as halo, especially chloro. Under the usual reaction conditions, of course, alkylation will be effected at each of the unprotected hydroxy groups which are present in the molecule. This can be avoided, and alkylation at the 4-benzoyl groups alone can be achieved, by carrying out the reaction in the presence of an excess of finely powdered potassium carbonate and using an equivalent or slight excess of the compound of Formula VII.

Depending upon the intended structure of the final product, the compound containing the substituent of Formula VII can then be further treated withan additional quantity of sodium thioethoxide in N,N-dimethylformamide as aforedescribed to effect cleavage of any remaining alkoxy or benzyloxy groups, thereby providing another sequence for achieving formation of those compounds employed in this invention in which R¹ and/or R²are hydroxy.

In any of the above, it is evident that the particular sequence of synthetic steps designed to produce a compound having substituents of particular definition and location is such as one of ordinary skill in theart will well recognize.

In another route for preparing the compounds of Formula I, compounds of Formula VI ##STR10##wherein: R^(2a) is --H or C₁ -C₆ alkoxy; and Y^(c) is C¹ -C₆ alkoxy-substituted phenyl or benzyl, are prepared essentially as described by C. D. Jones, et al., Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 53:931-938 (1992), which is herein incorporated by reference.

Generally, a tetralone, as described above, or a salt thereof, is acylated using standard Friedel Crafts conditions to provide a highly enolized diketone of formula VIa ##STR11##wherein R^(2a) is --H or C₁ -C₆ alkoxy.

Subsequent derivatization using sodium hydride, followed by the addition ofdiphenyl chlorophosphate, gives the enol phosphate derivative tentatively assigned the Formula VIb ##STR12##wherein R^(2a) is as defined above.

Addition of phenyl- or benzyl-, substituted phenyl- or substituted benzylmagnesium bromide to a compound of formula VIb, and subsequent selective demethylation provide compounds of formula VIc and VId, respectively, as described by Jones, supra. ##STR13##wherein R^(2a) and Y^(c) are as defined above.

Finally a compound of formula VId is alkylated with a compound of the formula

L--(CH₂)_(n) --NR^(a) R^(b)

in which L is a bromo or, preferably, a chloro moiety, and R^(2a) and Y^(c) optionally are dealkylated by standard procedures, to provide compounds of formulae VIe and VIf, respectively. ##STR14##wherein R^(2b) is --H or --OH and Y^(d) is phenyl, benzyl, hydroxyphenyl, or hydroxybenzyl.

In the process for preparing compounds of formula VIe or VIf, it is evidentthat the particular sequence of synthetic steps designed to produce a compound having substituents of particular definition and location is suchas one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize.

The compounds of Formula VIf can be substituted using standard means, if desired, to produce the corresponding dihydronaphthenyl compounds of Formula I.

B. Preparation of Napthalenyl Compounds

Those compounds of Formula I which are substituted naphthalenes are readilyprepared from the corresponding dihydronaphthalenyl compounds. Selective dehydrogenation of the dihydronaphthalene structure to produce specifically the corresponding naphthalene can be accomplished by treatment with 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone (DDQ) at a temperature of from about 50° C. to about 100° C. The naphthalene which is produce may be further converted to other naphthalenecompounds by means of the derivatizing reactions described supra.

Example 1 Preparation of 3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4-[4-(2-pyrrolidin-1-ylethoxy)benzoyl-1,2-dihydronaphthalene, citrate salt

The title compound was prepared as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,230,862. Toa suspension of sodium amide (15.2 g, 0.38 mol) in 250 ml of tertrahydrofuran were added 50 grams (0.34 mol) of β-tetralone. The mixture was stirred for 15-20 minutes, and 78 grams of phenyl ρ-methoxybenzoate dissolved in tetrahydrofuran were added. The temperature of the reaction mixture was maintained below 10° C., and the mixture was then stirred at room temperature overnight. The reaction mixture was concentrated and the water was added to the residue. The aqueous mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate, and the ethyl acetate extract was washed and concentrated.

The residue was chromatographed on silica using benzene as eluant. The purer fractions obtained by the chromatographic separation were combined and concentrated, and the residue was dissolved in a minimum of methanol. The methanol was cooled, and 35.2 grams of 1-(4-methoxybenzoyl)-2-tetralone were collected by filtration.

4-Bromoanisole (18.7 g, 0.1 mol) was added dropwise in ether to tetrahydrofuran containing 5 drops of 1,2-dibromoethane and 3.6 grams (0.15 mol) of magnesium. Reaction occurred almost immediately, and the addition was continued at a slow rate with evolution of heat sufficient tomaintain a general reflux. Upon completion of the addition, the above substituted b-tetralone dissolved in acetone was added dropwise with stirring over a two hour period, the mixture being maintained at 40° C. The resulting mixture was then poured into cold, dilute hydrochloric acid, and the acidic mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate extract was washed, dried, and concentrated to an oil. The oil was chromatographed over silica using benzene as eluant. Asubsequent elution of the column with a mixture of benzene containing two percent ethyl acetate yielded 15 grams of 3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4-(4-methoxybenzoyl)-1,2-dihydronaphthalene as an oil.

A mixture of 11.1 grams (0.03 mol) of the above dimethoxy product, 7.2 grams of sodium hydride (50 percent in oil), and 11 ml of ethyl mercaptan in N,N-dimethylformamide was prepared. The mixture was heated to 65°-70° C. and maintained at that temperature for about two hours. The mixture was then cooled and conetrated. The concentrate was acidified and extracted with ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate extract was washed, dried, and evaporated. The residue was dissolved in benzene and chromatographed over silica to obtain five grams of an oil comprising relatively pure 3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4-(4-hydroxybenzoyl)-1,2-dihydronaphthalene.

The above phenolic product (4.3 g, 0.01 mol) was dissolved in N,N-dimethylformamide. To this solution was added 0.7 grams of sodium hydride (50 percent in oil), and the resulting mixture was warmed to 40° C. for one hour and then was cooled to room temperature. To themixture then were added 1.6 grams of 1-chloro-2-pyrrolidinoethane, and the mixture was warmed to 60° C. and maintained at this temperature forabout two hours. The reaction mixture was then stirred at room temperature overnight.

The mixture was concentrated, and water was added to the residue. The aqueous mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate extract was washed and concentrated to a residue. The residue was extracted with hexanes, the insoluble portion was dissolved in ethyl acetate, and the ethyl acetate solution was extracted with 1N hydrochloricacid. The acid extract was rendered alkaline, and then was extracted with ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate extract was washed and concentrated. One equivalent of citric acid in acetone then was added to the concentrate, and the mixture was concentrated to dryness. The residue was dissolved in a large volume of methyl ethyl ketone. The ketone solution was concentrated to about 300 ml and was cooled to 0° C. The title product, the citrate salt of 3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4-[4-(2-pyrrolidin-1-ylethoxy)benzoyl-1,2-dihydronaphthalene, was collected by filtration and vacuum dried. mp 82°-85° C.

Analysis for C₃₆ H₃₉ NO₁₀ :

Theory: C, 66.96; H, 6.09; N, 2.17; O, 24.78.

Found: C, 66.70; H. 6.27; N, 2.27; O, 24.54.

Example 2 Preparation of 3-phenyl-4-[4-(2-pyrrolidin-1-ylethoxy)benzoyl]-7-methoxy-l,2-dihydronaphthalene.

The title product was prepared as described iin U.S. Pat. No. 4,230,862. To300 ml of N,N-dimethylformamide were added 107 grams of phenyl ρ-hydroxybenzoate and 26 grams of sodium hydride (50 percent in oil). The mixture was heated to 60° C. and maintained at this temperaturefor about two hours. To this mixture was added 1-chloro-2-pyrrolidin-1-ylethane (67 g), and the mixture was stirred overnight at 85° C. The bulk of the N,N-dimethylformamide then was evaporated from the mixture. Water was added to the residue, and the aqueous mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate extract was concentrated, and the residue was dissolved in a 1:1 mixture of ether and ethyl acetate. The organic solution was then extracted with 2N hydrochloric acid, and the acid extract was added dropwise to 2N sodiumhydroxide. The resulting mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate, and the ethyl acetate extract was washed and then dried over magnesium sulfate. The ethyl acetate was concentrated to obtain 110 grams of crude phenyl p-(2-pyrrolidin-1-ylethoxy)benzoate.

To a suspension of 20 grams (0.5 mol) of sodium amide in tetrahydrofuran were added dropwise 41.7 grams of 6-methoxy-2-tetralone in tetrahydrofuran, the temperature of the mixture being maintained below 10° C. Upon completion of the addition, the mixture was stirred for20 minutes, the reaction mixture being maintained below 10° C., after which time an exothermic reaction occurred, the reaction temperaturerising to about 20° C.

The above prepared phenyl p-(2-pyrrolidin-1-ylethoxy)benzoate, dissolved intetrahydrofuran, was then added dropwise, and the mixture was stirred overnight at room temperature. The mixture was poured into water, and the resulting mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate extract was washed several times with water, and dried over magnesium sulfate. The ethyl acetate was concentated to obtain about 100 grams of crude material which was dissolved in 1.5 liters of acetone, and one equivalent of citric acid in 400 ml of ethyl acetate was added. The resulting solid was isolated by filtration and vacuum dried to obtain 85.9grams of 6-methoxy-1-[4-(2-pyrrolidin-1-ylethoxy)benzoyl]-2-tetralone. The product was then chromatographed over silica using ethyl acetate as eluant, and the citrate salt was prepared from the recovered product.

The above product (8.6 g, 0.02 mol) was added to a solution of phenylmagnesium bromide in tetrahydrofuran. The resulting mixture was stirred for one hour at room temperature and then was warmed to 50°C. and maintained at this temperature for three hours. The resulting mixture was poured into a mixture of ice and hydrochloric acid, and the acid mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate extract was washed, dried, and concentrated to obtain 10.5 grams of a red-brown oil. The oil was added to 500 ml of acetic acid, and the mixture was heated on a steam bath for about 30 minutes. The acid was stripped off, and water as added to the residue.

The aqueous mixture was rendered alkaline by addition of base, and the alkaline mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract was dried and concentrated to obtain 8.7 grams of product which was dissolved in acetone, and one equivalent of citric acid was added to the mixture. The acetone was stripped off, and methyl ethyl ketone was added to the residue. The mixture was maintained at 0° C. overnight, and the crystals which formed were collected by filtration and washed with cold methyl ethyl ketone and vacuum dried. The solid was recrystallized from acetone to obtain the title compound in the form of its citrate salt. mp 98°-100° C.

Analysis of C₃₆ H₃₉ NO₁₀ :

Theory: C, 66.96; H, 6.09; N, 2.17; O, 24.78.

Found: C, 66.72; H, 6.27; N, 2.09; O, 24.50.

The title compound in the form of its free base was generated by treatment of the citrate salt with dilute alkali.

Analysis for C₃₀ H₃₁ NO₅ :

Theory: C, 79.44; H, 6.89; N, 3.09.

Found: C, 79.19; H, 6.68; N, 2.91.

Example 3 Preparation of 3 -phenyl-4-[4- (2-pyrrolidin-1-ylethoxy)benzoyl]-1,2 -dihydronaphthalene

The title product was prepared as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,230,862. To a solution of 5.0 grams (18 mmol) of 1-(4-methoxybenzoyl)-2-tetralone (prepared as described in Example 1) in 50 ml of ether was added dropwise at 0° C. a solution of phenylmagnesium bromide (18 mmol) in 9 ml ofether. Upon completion of the addition, the mixture was stirred for twenty minutes. Thin layer chromatography of the reaction mixture indicated the presence of starting material. An additional 13.5 ml of the phenylmagnesium bromide solution were added.

The mixture was refluxed for two hours and then was cooled and poured over iced aqueous ammonium chloride solution. The organic layer was separated and washed with brine. The mixture was then dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered, and evaporated to give about ten grams of a yellow oil. After a wash with hexanes, the product was further purified by chromatography to give 4.67 grams of 3-phenyl-4-(4-methoxybenzoyl)-1,2-dihydronaphthalene.

To 2.0 grams (6 mmol) of the above dihydronaphthalene, dissolved in 10 ml of N,N-dimethylformamide, were added sodium thioethoxide (7.5 mmol), dissolved in 15 ml of N,N-dimethylformamide. The addition was carried out under a nitrogen atmosphere and at 80° C. The mixture was maintained at 80° C. for fifteen hours. The mixture was then cooledand poured into an iced aqueous ammonium chloride solution. The resulting mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate, and the ethyl acetate extract was washed four times with brine.

The ethyl acetate extract was dried over magnesium sulfate an evaporated togive an oil which was further purified by chromatography on a silica column, suing benzene toelute impurities. The product was then eluted withethyl acetate to give, upon evaporation of the ethyl acetate, 1.69 grams of3-phenyl-4-(4-hydroxybenzoyl)-1,2-dihydronaphthalene as a clear pale yellowoil.

A mixture of 1.61 grams (4.95 mmol) of the above product in 10 ml of dry N,N-dimethylformamide containing 119 mg 4.95 mmol) of sodium hydride and freshly distilled 1-chloro-(2-pyrrolidin-1-yl)ethane. The addition was made under a nitrogen atmosphere with the temperature being maintained at about 10° C. Upon completion of the resulting efferverscence, the mixture was heated to 80° C. and maintained at that temperature forabout two hours. The mixture was then poured into water, and the total was extract with ether. The ether extract was washed five times with brine, and dried over magnesium sulfate. The ether layer was then filtered and evaporated to give a gray oil, which was further purified by chromatography to give 3-phenyl-4-[4-(2-pyrrolidin-1-ylethoxy)benzoyl]-1,2-dihydronaphthalene.

The product was converted to the corresponding citrate salt by treatment with 0.59 grams of citric acid in 50 ml of hot acetone. The resulting mixture was evvaporated to dryness, and the residue was stirred for about fifteen hours with ether to obtain the citrate salt. mp 89°-93° C.

Analysis for C₃₃ H₃₇ NO₉ ·0.5 H₂ O:

Theory: C, 67.34; H, 6.13; N, 2.25.

Found: C, 67.06; H, 6.41; N, 2.66.

Example 4 Preparation of 1-[4-(2-pyrollidin-1-ylethoxy)benzoyl]-2-phenylnaphthalene, citrate salt

The title product was prepared as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,230,862. To 30 ml of dioxane were added 3-phenyl-4-(4-methoxybenzoyl)-1,2-dihydronaphthalene (1.90 g, 5.58 mmol), prepared as described in Example 3, supra, and 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-l,4-benzoquinone (2.00 g, 8.81 mmol). The resulting mixture was heated to reflux and refluxed for twelve hours undera nitrogen atmosphere. The mixture was then cooled and evaporated to dryness. The residue was partitioned between ether and water. The organic fraction was washed 5N sodium hydroxide (5×20 ml), followed by a wash with brine. The mixture was then dried over magnesium sulfate and evaporated to give 1.9 grams of substantially pure 1-(4-methoxybenzoyl)-2-phenylnaphthalene.

Employing substantially the same demethylation procedure as described in Example 3, 1.83 grams (5.41 mmol) of the above product were treated with sodium thioethoxide to obtain 1.4 grams of 1-(4-hydroxybenzoyl)-2-phenylnaphthalene.

To 10 ml of N,N-dimethylformamide were added 1.25 grams of the above product. The resulting mixture was added at about 10° C. to a mixture of 20 ml of N,N-dimethylformamide containing 120 mg (5.0 mmol) of sodium hydride and 800 mg of 1-chloro-2-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)ethane. Upon completion of the resulting effervescence, the mixture was heated to 80° C. and maintained at that temperature for about three hours, during which time sodium chloride precipitated. The mixture was cooled andevaporated to dryness. The resulting residue was partitioned between water and ethyl acetate. The organic fraction was washed with brine (5×25 ml). The organic fraction was dried and evaporated to give 1.62 grams of 1-[4-[2-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)ethoxy]benzooyl]-2-phenylnaphthalene as a yellow oil.

The above free base was converted to the corresponding citrate salt in accordance with the method of Example 3, employing 0.811 grams of citric acid hydrate. The title compound was obtained as an amorphous solid which crystallized on standing overnight in ether. mp 105°-108° C.

Analysis for C₃₃ H₃₅ NO₉ ·H₂ O:

Theory: C, 65.55; H, 5.90; N, 2.22.

Found: C, 66.90; H, 5.85; N, 2.25.

Example 5 Preparation of 3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4-[4-[2-(piperidin-1-yl)ethoxy]benzoyl]-1,2-dihydronaphthalene, citrate salt.

The title compound was prepared as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,230,862. Toa suspension of sodium hydride (0.269 g, 11 mmol), washed free of mineral oil, and 1-chloro-2-(piperidin-1-yl)ethane (1.82 g, 12 mmol) in N,N-dimethylformamide (50 ml) at 0° C., and under a nitrogen atmosphere, were added 4.0 grams (10 mmol) of 3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4-(4-hydroxybenzoyl)-1,2-dihydronaphthalene, prepared as described in Example 1, dissolved in 20 ml of N,N-dimethylformamide. The solution was added dropwise with stirring. When the effervescence had ceased for the most part, the mixture was heated to 50° C. and maintained at that temperature for several hours. The progress of the reaction was monitored by thin layer chromatography.

Once the reaction had progressed sufficiently, the N,N-dimethylformamide was evaporated, and the concentrated mixture was poured over ice water andethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate fraction was washed with brine, dried overpotassium carbonate, filtered, and evaporated, The resulting oil was chromatographed over a 1.5"×12" silica column using the following asa double gradient:

(i) 10 percent ethyl acetate in benzene (500 ml) →20 percent ethyl acetate in benzene (2 liters);

(ii) 20 percent ethyl acetate in benzene (1.5 liters) →1:1 mixture of methanol and ethyl acetate (1.5 liters).

The appropriate fractions were concentrated to give an almost colorless oil. The oil was dissolved in ethyl acetate, and the ethyl acetate solution was dried over potassium carbonate, filtered, and evaporated to give 4.7 grams of the free base of the title compound as a pale yellow oil.

The free base (3.4 g, 7.28 mmol) was treated with citric acid monohydrate (1.49 g, 7.1 mmol) in about 20 ml of boiling acetone. When a clear solution was obtained, the acetone was evaporated, 300 ml of anhydrous ether was added, and the resulting precipitate was stirred overnight. The title compound (5.2 grams) was collected as a white powder.

Analysis for C₃₇ H₄₁ NO₁₀ :

Theory: C, 67.36; H, 6.26; N, 2.12.

Found: C, 67.25; H, 5.96; N, 1.84.

Example 6 Preparation of 3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4-[4-(2-dimethylaminoethoxy)benzoyl]-1,2-dihydronaphthalene, citrate salt.

The title compound was prepared as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,230,862. To50 ml of acetone were added 4.0 grams (11.2 mmol) of 3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4-(4-hydroxybenzoyl)-1,2-dihydronaphthalene, prepared as described in Example 1, 1.81 grams (16.8 mmol) of 1-chloro-2-dimethylaminoethane (freshly prepared from the hydrohloride), and 2.32 grams (16.8 mol) of finely powdered potassium chloride. The resulting mixture was refluxed under nitrogen with stirring for about 72 hours. The progress of the reaction was monitored by thin layer chromatography.

The resulting mixture was then poured over ice, and the resulting mixture was extracted with ether. The ether was washed three times with brine, dried over potassium carbonate, filtered, and evaporated to obtain 4.51 grams of the free base of the title compound as a brown oil.

The oil was vacuum dried and then was converted to the citrate salt by treatment with 2.17 grams (10.4 mmol) of citric acid monohydrate in 50 ml of hot acetone. Evaporation of the acetone and stirring of the residue with ether gave 5.2 grams of the title compound as an amorphous solid.

Analysis for C₃₄ H₃₇ NO₁₀ :

Theory: C, 65.90; H, 6.02; N, 2.26.

Found: C, 66.17; H, 6.23; N, 2.37.

Example 7 Preparation of 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4-[4-[2-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)ethoxy]benzoyl]-1,2-dihydronaphthalene, mesylate salt

The title compound was prepared as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,230,862. To25 ml of methyl ethyl ketone were 10 grams (2.92 mmol) of 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4-(4-hydroxybenzoyl)-1,2-dihydronaphthalene, 0.497 grams (2.92 mmol) of 1-chloro-2-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)ethane, and 1.21 grams (8.77 mmol) offinely powdered potassium carbonate. The resulting mixture was refluxed for 16 hours. The mixture was then cooled and poured into a mixture of water and ethyl acetate. The resulting mixture was rendered acidic by addition of 1N hydrochloric acid and then alkaline by the addition of sodium bicarbonate.

The organic fraction was washed with brine, dried over magnesium sulfate, and evaporated to give a yellow oil. The resulting oil was further purified by chromatography. The free base (362 mg, 0,825 mmol) as converted to the mesylate aslt by treatment with an equivalent of methanesulfonic acid in acetone to yield the title compound as an amorphous solid.

Analysis for C₃₁ H₃₇ NO₆ S:

Theory: C, 67.27; H, 6.21; N, 2.61.

Found: C, 67.25; H, 6.19; N, 2.69.

Example 8 Preparation of 3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4-[4-[2-(hexamethyleneimin-1-yl)benzoyl]-l,2-dihydronaphthalene, mesylate salt

The title compound was prepared as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,230,826. To50 ml of methyl ethyl ketone were added 3.0 g (8.43 mmol) of 3-(4-methoxyphenyl)- 4-(4-hydroxybenzoyl)-1,2-dihydronaphthalene, 1.84 g (9.27 mmol) of 1-chloro-2-(hexamethyleneimin-1-yl)ethane hydrochloride, and 3.25 grams (25.3 mmol) of finely powdered potassium carbonate. The mixture was refluxed for 48 hours.

The mixture was then poured into water, and ethyl acetate was added. The resulting organic layer was separated, washed with brine, dried, and evaporated to a yellow oil. The oil was further purified by chromatography. The free base of the title compound was recovered (2.51 g)as a pale yellow oil. The oil was treated with 0,431 g (4.48 mmol) of methanesulfonic acid in 10 ml of acetone. Upon scratching and cooling of the mixture, crystals formed. The mixture was cooled overnight and 1.97 grams of the title compound were obtained as a white crystals. mp 123°-125° C.

Analysis for C₃₄ H₄₁ NO₆ S:

Theory: C, 68.61; H, 6.80; N, 2.42.

Found: C, 68.38; H, 6.62; N, 2.40.

Example 9 Preparation of 3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4-[4-[2-(piperidin-1-yl)ethoxy]benzoyl]-1,2-dihydronaphthalene, mesylate salt

The title compound was prepared as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,230,862. To150 ml of methyl ethyl ketone were added 7.8 g (21.9 mmol) of 3-(4-methoxyphenyl)4-(4-hydroxybenzoyl)-1,2-dihydronaphthalene, 4.84 grams(23.6 mmol) of 1-chloro-2-(piperidin-1-yl)ethane hydrochloride, and 14.5 grams (109 mmol) of potassium carbonate. The resulting mixture was refluxed overnight.

The mixture was then poured into a mixture of water and ethyl acetate. The resulting orgnaic fraction was spearated, washed with brine, dried over magnesium sulfate, and evaporated in vacuo to obtain the free base of the title compound as a yellow oil.

The oil was dissolved in 30 ml of acetone and was treated with 2.105 grams (21.9 mmol) of methanesulfonic acid. The mixture was cooled and scratched,and the title compound was collected at -40° C. and ashed well with acetone and ether cooled to about -60° C. The solid was then vacuumdried at 100° C. to obtain 11.21 grams of the title compound as a white crystalline solid. mp 157°-158° C.

Analysis for C₃₃ H₃₉ NO₆ S:

Theory: C, 68.18; H, 6.62; N, 2.48.

Found: C, 68.11; H, 6.76; N, 2.50.

Example 10 Preparation of 3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4-(4-diethylaminoethoxybenzoyl)-1,2-dihydronaphthalene, mesylate salt

To 75 ml of methyl ethyl ketone were added 4.0 grams (11.2 mmol) of 3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4-(4-hydroxybenzoyl)-1,2-dihydronaphthalene, 2.41 grams (14 mmol) of 1-chloro-2-diethylaminoethane hydrochloride, and 7.93 grams (56 mmol) of finely powdered potassium carbonate. The mixture was refluxed overnight, and, employing the method of Example 9, 5.67 grams of the free base of the title compound were obtained as a yellow oily material.

The oil was treated with 1.07 grams (11.2 mmol) of methanesulfonic acid in about 15 ml of acetone. The resulting mixture was maintained with cooling for several days after which white crystals appeared. The crystals were somewhat hygroscopic and were collected as quickly as possible and vacuum-dried. There were obtained 4.3 grams of the title compound as a white crystalline solid.

Analysis for C₃₁ H₃₉ NO₆ S:

Theory: C, 67.24; H, 7.10; N, 2.53.

Found: C, 67.48; H, 6.92; N, 2.43.

Example 11 Preparation of 3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4-(4-diisopropylaminoethoxybenzoyl)-1,2-dihydronaphthalene, mesylate salt

To 75 ml of methyl ethyl ketone were added 3.84 grams (10.8 mmol) of 3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4-(4-hydroxybenzoyl)-1,2-dihydronaphthalene, 2.70 grams (13.5 mmol) of 1-chloro-2-diisopropylaminoethane hydrochloride, and 7.11 grams (54 mmol) of finely powdered potassium carbonate. The mixture was allowed to reflux overnight, and, upon workup, in accordance with the procedure of Example 9, 5.64 grams of the free base of the title compound were obtained as a yello oily substance. The oily product was treated with1.04 grams (10.8 mmol) of methanesulfonic acid in about 25 ml of acetone. The mixture was cooled, and crystals slowly appeared. The crystals collected at -40° C. with the aid of acetone cooled to -60° C. Vacuum drying of the product gave 5.1 grams.

Analysis for C₃₃ H₄₁ NO₆ S:

Theory: C, 68.37; H, 7.31; N, 2.42.

Found: C, 68.08; H, 6.91; N, 2.21.

The following compounds were prepared essentially as described in the aboveexamples:

Example 12 3-hydroxy-4-[4-[2-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)ethoxy]benzoyl]-1,2-dihydronaphthalene, sodium salt Example 13 2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1-[4-[2-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)ethoxy]benzoyl]naphthalene, mesylate salt Example 14 3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4-[4-[2-(piperidin-1-yl)ethoxy]benzoyl]-7-methoxy-1,2-dihydronaphthatene, mesylate salt Example 15 3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4-[4-(2-dimethylaminoethoxy)benzoyl]-1,2-dihydronaphthalene, 2-hydroxy-1,2,3-propanetricarboxylic acid salt Example 16 3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4-[4-[2-(N-methyl-1-pyrrolidinium)ethoxy]benzoyl]-1,2 -dihydronaphthalene, iodide salt Example 17 3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4-[4-[2-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)ethoxy]benzoyl]-1,2-dihydronaphthalene, mesylate salt

The biological activity of the compounds of the present invention was evaluated employing an initial screening assay which rapidly and accurately measured the binding of the tested compound to known NK-1 and NK-2 receptor sites. Assays useful for evaluating tachykinin receptor antagonists are well known in the art. See, e.g., J. Jukic, et al., Life Sciences, 49:1463-1469 (1991); N. Kucharczyk, et al., Journal of MedicinalChemistry, 36:1654-1661 (1993); N. Rouissi, et al., Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 176:894-901 (1991).

NK-1 Receptor Binding Assay

Radioreceptor binding assays were performed using a derivative of a previously published protocol. D. G. Payan, et al., Journal of Immunology,133:3260-3265 (1984). In this assay an aliquot of IM9 cells (1×106 cells/tube in RPMI 1604 medium supplemented with 10% fetal calf serum) wasincubated with 20 pM ¹²⁵ I-labeled substance P in the presence of increasing competitor concentrations for 45 minutes at 4° C.

The IM9 cell line is a well-characterized cell line which is readily available to the public. See, e.g., Annals of the New York Academy of Science, 190:221-234 (1972); Nature (London), 251:443-444 (1974); Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (USA), 71:84-88 (1974). These cells were routinely cultured in RPMI 1640 supplemented with 50 μg/ml gentamicin sulfate and 10% fetal calf serum.

The reaction was terminated by filtration through a glass fiber filter harvesting system using filters previously soaked for 20 minutes in 0.1% polyethylenimine. Specific binding of labeled substance P was determined in the presence of 20 nM unlabeled ligand.

Many of the compounds employed in the methods of the present invention are also effective antagonists of the NK-2 receptor.

NK-2 Receptor Binding Assay

The CHO-hNK-2R cells, a CHO-derived cell line transformed with the human NK-2 receptor, expressing about 400,000 such receptors per cell, were grown in 75 cm² flasks or roller bottles in minimal essential medium(alpha modification) with 10% fetal bovine serum. The gene sequence of the human NK-2 receptor is given in N. P. Gerard, et al., Journal of Biological Chemistry, 265:20455-20462 (1990).

For preparation of membranes, 30 confluent roller bottle cultures were dissociated by washing each roller bottle with 10 ml of Dulbecco's phosphate buffered saline (PBS) without calcium and magnesium, followed byaddition of 10 ml of enzyme-free cell dissociation solution (PBS-based, from Specialty Hedia, Inc.). After an additional 15 minutes, the dissociated cells were pooled and centrifuged at 1,000 RPH for 10 minutes in a clinical centrifuge. Hembranes were prepared by homogenization of thecell pellets in 300 ml 50 mM Tris buffer, pH 7.4 with a Tekmar® homogenizer for 10-15 seconds, followed by centrifugation at 12,000 RPH (20,000×g) for 30 minutes using a Beckman JR-14® rotor. The pellets were washed once using the above procedure. and the final pellets were resuspended in 100-120 ml 50 mM Tris buffer, pH 7.4, and 4 ml aliquots stored frozen at -70° C. The protein concentration of thispreparation was 2 mg/ml.

For the receptor binding assay, one 4-ml aliquot of the CHO-hNK-2R membranepreparation was suspended in 40 ml of assay buffer containing 50 mM Tris, pH 7.4, 3 mM manganese chloride, 0.02% bovine serum albumin (BSA) and 4 μg/ml chymostatin. A 200 μl volume of the homogenate (40 μg protein) was used per sample. The radioactive ligand was [¹²⁵ I] iodohistidyl-neurokinin A (New England Nuclear, NEX-252), 2200 Ci/mmol. The ligand was prepared in assay buffer at 20 nCi per 100 μl; the finalconcentration in the assay was 20 pH. Non-specific binding was determined using 1 μM eledoisin. Ten concentrations of eledoisin from 0.1 to 1000 nH were used for a standard concentration-response curve.

All samples and standards were added to the incubation in 10 μl dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) for screening (single dose) or in 5 μl DMSO for IC₅₀ determinations. The order of additions for incubation was 190 or 195 μl assay buffer, 200 μl homogenate, 10 or 5 μl sample in DMSO, 100 μl radioactive ligand. The samples were incubated 1 hr at room temperature and then filtered on a cell harvester through filters which had been presoaked for two hours in 50 mM Tris buffer, pH 7.7, containing 0.5% BSA. The filter was washed 3 times with approximately 3 mlof cold 50 mM Tris buffer, pH 7.7. The filter circles were then punched into 12×75 mm polystyrene tubes and counted in a gamma counter.

Many of the compounds prepared supra showed significant activity as tachykinin receptor antagonists. As the compounds of Formula I are effective tachykinin receptor antagonists, these compounds are of value inthe treatment of a wide variety of clinical conditions which are characterized by the presence of an excess of tachykinin. Thus, the invention provides methods for the treatment or prevention of a physiological disorder associated with an excess of tachykinins, which method comprises administering to a mammal in need of said treatment an effective amount of a compound of Formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate or prodrug thereof. The term "physiological disorder associated with an excess of tachykinins" encompasses those disorders associated with an inappropriate stimulation of tachykinin receptors, regardless of the actual amount of tachykinin present in the locale.

These physiological disorders may include disorders of the central nervous system such as anxiety, depression, psychosis, and schizophrenia; neurodegenerative disorders such as dementia, including senile dementia ofthe Alzheimer's type, Alzheimer's disease, AIDS-associated dementia, and Down's syndrome; demyelinating diseases such as multiple scterosis and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and other neuropathological disorders such as peripheral neuropathy, such as diabetic and chemotherapy-induced neuropathy, and post-herpetic and other neuralgias; acute and chronic obstructive airway diseases such as adult respiratory distress syndrome, bronchopneumonia, bronchospasm, chronic bronchitis, drivercough, and asthma; inflammatory diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, psoriasis, fibrositis, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis; disordersof the musculo-skeletal system, such as osteoporosis; allergies such as eczema and rhinitis; hypersensitivity disorders such as poison ivy; ophthalmic diseases such as conjunctivitis, vernal conjunctivitis, and thelike; cutaneous diseases such as contact dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, urticaria, and other eczematoid dermatites; addiction disorders such as alcoholism; stress-related somatic disorders; reflex sympathetic dystrophysuch as shoulder/hand syndrome; dysthymic disorders; adverse immunological reactions such as rejection of transplanted tissues and disorders related to immune enhancement or suppression such as systemic lupus erythematosis;gastrointestinal disorders or diseases associated with the neuronal controlof viscera such as ulcerative coliris, Crohn's disease, emesis, and irritable bowel syndrome; disorders of bladder function such as bladder detrusor hyper-reflexia and incontinence; artherosclerosis; fibrosing and collagen diseases such as scleroderma and eosinophilic fascioliasis; irritative symptoms of benign prostatic hypertrophy; disorders of blood flow caused by vasodilation and vasospastic diseases such as angina, migraine, and Raynaud's disease; and pain or nociception, for example, that attributable to or associated with any of the foregoing conditions, especially the transmission of pain in migraine. For example the compoundsof Formula I may suitably be used in the treatment of disorders of the central nervous system such as anxiety, psychosis, and schizophrenia; neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and Down's syndrome; respiratory diseases such as bronchospasm and asthma; inflammatory diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis; adverse immunological disorders such as rejection of transplanted tissues; gastrointestinal disorders and diseasessuch as disorders associated with the neuronal control of viscera such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, emesis, and irritable bowel syndrome;incontinence; disorders of blood flow caused by vasodilation; and pain or nociception, for example, that attributable to or associated with any of the foregoing conditions or the transmission of pain in migraine.

The results of several experiments demonstrate that many of the compounds of Formula I are selective tachykinin receptor antagonists. These compounds preferentially bind one tachykinin receptor subtype compared to other such receptors. Such compounds are especially preferred.

For example, NK-1 antagonists are most especially preferred in the treatment of pain, especially chronic pain, such as neuropathic pain, post-operative pain, and migraines, pain associated with arthritis, cancer-associated pain, chronic lower back pain, cluster headaches, herpesneuralgia, phantom limb pain, central pain, dental pain, neuropathic pain, opioid-resistant pain, visceral pain, surgical pain, bone injury pain, pain during labor and delivery, pain resulting from burns, including sunburn, post partum pain, angina pain, and genitourinary tract-related pain including cystiris.

In addition to pain, NK-1 antagonists are especially preferred in the treatment and prevention of urinary incontinence; irritative symptoms of benign prostatic hypertrophy; motility disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, such as irritable bowel syndrome; acute and chronic obstructive airway diseases, such as bronchospasm, bronchopneumonia, asthma, and adultrespiratory distress syndrome; artherosclerosis; inflammatory conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative coliris, Crohn's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, neurogenic inflammation, allergies, thiniris, cough, dermatitis, urticaria, psoriasis, conjunctivitis, emesis,irritation-induced miosis; tissue transplant rejection; plasma extravasation resulting from cytokine chemotherapy and the like; spinal cord trauma; stroke; cerebral stroke (ischemia); Alzheimer's disease; Parkinson's disease; multiple sclerosis; amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; schizophrenia; anxiety; and depression.

NK-2 antagonists are especially preferred in the treatment of urinary incontinence, bronchospasm, asthma, adult respiratory distress syndrome, motility disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, such as irritable bowel syndrome, and pain.

The compounds of Formula I are usually administered in the form of pharmaceutical compositions. These compounds can be administered by a variety of routes including oral, rectal, transdermal, subcutaneous, intravenous, intramuscular, and intranasal. These compounds are effective as both injectable and oral compositions. Such compositions are prepared in a manner well known in the pharmaceutical art and comprise at least oneactive compound.

The present invention also includes pharmaceutical compositions which contain, as the active ingredient, the compounds of Formula I associated with pharmaceutically acceptable carriers. In making the compositions of the present invention the active ingredient is usually mixed with an excipient, diluted by an excipient or enclosed within such a carrier whichcan be in the form of a capsule, sachet, paper or other container. When theexcipient serves as a diluent, it can be a solid, semi-solid, or liquid material, which acts as a vehicle, carrier or medium for the active ingredient. Thus, the compositions can be in the form of tablets, pills, powders, lozenges, sachets, cachets, elixirs, suspensions, emulsions, solutions, syrups, aerosols (as a solid or in a liquid medium), ointments containing for example up to 10% by weight of the active compound, soft and hard gelatin capsules, suppositories, sterile injectable solutions, and sterile packaged powders.

In preparing a formulation, it may be necessary to mill the active compoundto provide the appropriate particle size prior to combining with the other ingredients. If the active compound is substantially insoluble, it ordinarily is milled to a particle size of less than 200 mesh. If the active compound is substantially water soluble, the particle size is normally adjusted by milling to provide a substantially uniform distribution in the formulation, e.g. about 40 mesh.

Some examples of suitable excipients include lactose, dextrose, sucrose, sorbitol, mannitol, starches, gum acacia, calcium phosphate, alginates, tragacanth, gelatin, calcium silicate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone, cellulose, water, syrup, and methyl cellulose. The formulations can additionally include: lubricating agents such as talc, magnesium stearate, and mineral oil; wetting agents; emulsifying and suspending agents; preserving agents such as methyl- and propylhydroxybenzoates; sweetening agents; and flavoring agents. The compositions of the invention can be formulated so as to provide quick, sustained or delayed release of the active ingredient after administrationto the patient by employing procedures known in the art.

The compositions are preferably formulated in a unit dosage form, each dosage containing from about 0.05 to about 100 mg, more usually about 1.0 to about 30 mg, of the active ingredient. The term "unit dosage form" refers to physically discrete units suitable as unitary dosages for human subjects and other mammals, each unit containing a predetermined quantity of active material calculated to produce the desired therapeutic effect, in association with a suitable pharmaceutical excipient.

The active compound is effective over a wide dosage range. For examples, dosages per day normally fall within the range of about 0.01 to about 30 mg/kg of body weight. In the treatment of adult humans, the range of about0.1 to about 15 mg/kg/day, in single or divided dose, is especially preferred. However, it will be understood that the amount of the compound actually administered will be determined by a physician, in the light of the relevant circumstances, including the condition to be treated, the chosen route of administration, the actual compound administered, the age,weight, and response of the individual patient, and the severity of the patient's symptoms, and therefore the above dosage ranges are not intendedto limit the scope of the invention in any way. In some instances dosage levels below the lower limit of the aforesaid range may be more than adequate, while in other cases still larger doses may be employed without causing any harmful side effect, provided that such larger doses are firstdivided into several smaller doses for administration throughout the day.

Formulation Preparation 1

Hard gelatin capsules containing the following ingredients are prepared:

    ______________________________________                                                          Quantity                                                      Ingredient       (mg/capsule)                                                  ______________________________________                                         Active Ingredient                                                                               30.0                                                          Starch           305.0                                                         Magnesium stearate                                                                              5.0                                                           ______________________________________                                    

The above ingredients are mixed and filled into hard gelatin capsules in 340 mg quantities.

Formulation Preparation 2

A tablet formula is prepared using the ingredients below:

    ______________________________________                                                            Quantity                                                    Ingredient         (mg/tablet)                                                 ______________________________________                                         Active Ingredient  25.0                                                        Cellulose, microcrystalline                                                                       200.0                                                       Colloidal silicon dioxide                                                                         10.0                                                        Stearic acid       5.0                                                         ______________________________________                                    

The components are blended and compressed to form tablets, each weighing 240 mg.

Formulation Preparation 3

A dry powder inhaler formulation is prepared containing the following components:

    ______________________________________                                         Ingredient      Weight %                                                       ______________________________________                                         Active Ingredient                                                                              5                                                              Lactose         95                                                             ______________________________________                                    

The active mixture is mixed with the lactose and the mixture is added to a dry powder inhaling appliance.

Formulation Preparation 4

Tablets, each containing 30 mg of active ingredient, are prepared as follows:

    ______________________________________                                                                Quantity                                                Ingredient             (mg/tablet)                                             ______________________________________                                         Active Ingredient      30.0    mg                                              Starch                 45.0    mg                                              Microcrystalline cellulose                                                                            35.0    mg                                              Polyvinylpyrrolidone   4.0     mg                                              (as 10% solution in water)                                                     Sodium carboxymethyl starch                                                                           4.5     mg                                              Magnesium stearate     0.5     mg                                              Talc                   1.0     mg                                              Total                  120     mg                                              ______________________________________                                    

The active ingredient, starch and cellulose are passed through a No. 20 mesh U.S. sieve and mixed thoroughly. The solution of polyvinylpyrrolidoneis mixed with the resultant powders, which are then passed through a 16 mesh U.S. sieve. The granules so produced are dried at 50°-60° C. and passed through a 16 mesh U.S. sieve. The sodium carboxymethyl starch, magnesium stearate, and talc, previously passed through a No. 30 mesh U.S. sieve, are then added to the granules which, after mixing, are compressed on a tablet machine to yield tablets each weighing 120 mg.

Formulation Preparation 5

Capsules, each containing 40 mg of medicament are made as follows:

    ______________________________________                                                              Quantity                                                  Ingredient           (mg/capsule)                                              ______________________________________                                         Active Ingredient    40.0    mg                                                Starch               109.0   mg                                                Magnesium stearate   1.0     mg                                                Total                150.0   mg                                                ______________________________________                                    

The active ingredient, cellulose, starch, and magnesium stearate are blended, passed through a No. 20 mesh U.S. sieve, and filled into hard gelatin capsules in 150 mg quantities.

Formulation Preparation 6

Suppositories, each containing 25 mg of active ingredient are made as follows:

    ______________________________________                                         Ingredient               Amount                                                ______________________________________                                         Active Ingredient        25     mg                                             Saturated fatty acid glycerides to                                                                      2,000  mg                                             ______________________________________                                    

The active ingredient is passed through a No. 60 mesh U.S. sieve and suspended in the saturated fatty acid glycerides previously melted using the minimum heat necessary. The mixture is then poured into a suppository mold of nominal 2.0 g capacity and allowed to cool.

Formulation Preparation 7

Suspensions, each containing 50 mg of medicament per 5.0 ml dose are made as follows:

    ______________________________________                                         Ingredient                Amount                                               ______________________________________                                         Active Ingredient         50.0   mg                                            Xanthan gum               4.0    mg                                            Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (11%)                                                                     50.0   mg                                            Microcrystalline cellulose (89%)                                               Sucrose                   1.75   g                                             Sodium benzoate           10.0   mg                                            Flavor and Color          q.v.                                                 Purified water to         5.0    ml                                            ______________________________________                                    

The medicament, sucrose and xanthan gum are blended, passed through a No. 10 mesh U.S. sieve, and then mixed with a previously made solution of the microcrystalline cellulose and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose in water. The sodium benzoate, flavor, and color are diluted with some of the water and added with stirring. Sufficient water is then added to produce the required volume.

Formulation Preparation 8

Capsules, each containing 15 mg of medicament, are made as follows:

    ______________________________________                                                              Quantity                                                  Ingredient           (mg/capsule)                                              ______________________________________                                         Active Ingredient    15.0    mg                                                Starch               407.0   mg                                                Magnesium stearate   3.0     mg                                                Total                425.0   mg                                                ______________________________________                                    

The active ingredient, cellulose, starch, and magnesium stearate are blended, passed through a No. 20 mesh U.S. sieve, and filled into hard gelatin capsules in 425 mg quantities.

Formulation Preparation 9

An intravenous formulation may be prepared as follows:

    ______________________________________                                         Ingredient            Quantity                                                 ______________________________________                                         Active Ingredient     250.0  mg                                                Isotonic saline       1000   ml                                                ______________________________________                                    

Formulation Preparation 10

A topical formulation may be prepared as follows:

    ______________________________________                                         Ingredient            Quantity                                                 ______________________________________                                         Active Ingredient     1-10    g                                                Emulsifying Wax       30      g                                                Liquid Paraffin       20      g                                                White Soft Paraffin   to 100  g                                                ______________________________________                                    

The white soft paraffin is heated until molten. The liquid paraffin and emulsifying wax are incorporated and stirred until dissolved. The active ingredient is added and stirring is continued until dispersed. The mixtureis then cooled until solid.

Formulation Preparation 11

Sublingual or buccal tablets, each containing 10 mg of active ingredient, may be prepared as follows:

    ______________________________________                                                               Quantity                                                 Ingredient            Per Tablet                                               ______________________________________                                         Active Ingredient     10.0    mg                                               Glycerol              210.5   mg                                               Water                 143.0   mg                                               Sodium Citrate        4.5     mg                                               Polyvinyl Alcohol     26.5    mg                                               Polyvinylpyrrolidone  15.5    mg                                               Total                 410.0   mg                                               ______________________________________                                    

The glycerol, water, sodium citrate, polyvinyl alcohol, and polyvinylpyrrolidone are admixed together by continuous stirring and maintaining the temperature at about 90° C. When the polymers have gone into solution, the solution is cooled to about 50°-55° C. and the medicament is slowly admixed. The homogenous mixture is poured into forms made of an inert material to produce a drug-containing diffusion matrix having a thickness of about 2-4 mm. This diffusion matrixis then cut to form individual tablets having the appropriate size.

Another preferred formulation employed in the methods of the present invention employs transdermal delivery devices ("patches"). Such transdermal patches may be used to provide continuous or discontinuous infusion of the compounds of the present invention in controlled amounts. The construction and use of transdermal patches for the delivery of pharmaceutical agents is well known in the art. See, e.q., U.S. Pat. No. 5,023,252, issued June 11, 1991, herein incorporated by reference. Such patches may be constructed for continuous, pulsatile, or on demand delivery of pharmaceutical agents.

Frequently, it will be desirable or necessary to introduce the pharmaceutical composition to the brain, either directly or indirectly. Direct techniques usually involve placement of a drug delivery catheter into the host's ventricular system to bypass the blood-brain barrier. One such implantable delivery system, used for the transport of biological factors to specific anatomical regions of the body, is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,011,472, issued Apr. 30, 1991, which is herein incorporated by refernce.

Indirect techniques, which are generally preferred, usually involve formulating the compositions to provide for drug latentiation by the conversion of hydrophilic drugs into lipid-soluble drugs or prodrugs. Latentiation is generally achieved through blocking of the hydroxy, carbonyl, sulfate, and primary amine groups present on the drug to render the drug more lipid soluble and amenable to transportation across the blood-brain barrier. Alternatively, the delivery of hydrophilic drugs may be enhanced by intra-arterial infusion of hypertonic solutions which can transiently open the blood-brain barrier.

    __________________________________________________________________________     SEQUENCE LISTING                                                               (1) GENERAL INFORMATION:                                                       (iii) NUMBER OF SEQUENCES: 4                                                   (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:1:                                               (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 5 amino acids                                                      (B) TYPE: amino acid                                                           (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                       (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                           (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide                                                    (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:1:                                        PheXaaGlyLeuMet                                                                15                                                                             (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:2:                                               (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 11 amino acids                                                     (B) TYPE: amino acid                                                           (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                       (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                           (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide                                                    (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:2:                                        ArgP roLysProGlnGlnPhePheGlyLeuMet                                             1510                                                                           (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:3:                                               (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 10 amino acids                                                     (B) TYPE: amino acid                                                           (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                       (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                           (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide                                                    (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:3:                                        HisLysThrAspSerPheValGlyLeuMet                                                 1510                                                                           (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:4:                                               (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 10 amino acids                                                     (B) TYPE: amino acid                                                           (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                        (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                          (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide                                                    (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:4:                                        AspMetHisAspPhePheValGlyLeuMet                                                 1510                                                                       

We claim:
 1. A method for the treatment of a physiological disorder associated with an excess of tachykinins, which method comprises administering to a mammal in need of said treatment an effective amount of a compound of the formula ##STR15## wherein: R² is hydrogen, hydroxy, or C₁ -C₆ alkoxy;the dotted line represents an optional covalent bond; Y is hydroxy, or ##STR16## where Y^(a) is a bond, --CH₂ --, or --CH₂ CH₂ --; and R¹ is hydrogen, C₁ -C₆ alkyl, C₁ -C₆ alkoxy, or hydroxy; R³ is aryloxy, C₁ -C₆ alkoxy, hydroxy or--Q--(CH₂)_(n) --NR^(a) R^(b) where,Q is --O--or --CH₂ --, n is 1-6, R^(a) and R^(b) are independently hydrogen or C₁ -C₆ alkyl or are taken together with the nitrogen to which they are bonded to constitute a heterocyclic ring selected from the group consisting of pyrrolidinyl, piperazinyl, piperidinyl, hexamethyleneiminyl, imidazolinyl, heptamethyleneiminyl, morpholinyl, and N-methylpyrrolidinyl;or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof.
 2. A method as claimed in claim 1 employing a compound wherein the double bond is absent, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof.
 3. A method as claimed in claim 2 employing a compound wherein Y is ##STR17## or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof.
 4. A method as claimed in claim 3 employing a compound wherein Y^(a) is a bond or --CH₂ --or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof.
 5. A method as claimed in claim 4 employing a compound wherein R¹ is hydrogen, hydroxy, methyl, ethyl, methoxy, or ethoxy, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof.
 6. A method as claimed in claim 5 employing a compound wherein R³ is --Q--(CH₂)_(n) --NR^(a) R^(b), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof.
 7. A method as claimed in claim 6 employing a compound wherein Q is --O--, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof.
 8. A method as claimed in claim 6 employing a compound wherein n is 1, 2, or 3, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof.
 9. A method as claimed in claim 8 employing a compound wherein NR^(a) R^(b) is pyrrolidinyl, piperazinyl, piperidinyl, hexamethyleneiminyl, imidazolinyl, heptamethyleneiminyl, morpholinyl, or N-methylpyrrolidinyl, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof.
 10. A method as claimed in claim 9 employing a compound selected from the group consisting of 3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4-[4-(2-pyrrolidin-1-ylethoxy)benzoyl-1,2-dihydronaphthalene, 3-phenyl-4-[4-(2-pyrrolidin-1-ylethoxy)benzoyl]-7-methoxy-1,2-dihydronaphthalene, 3-(4-methoxyphenyl) -4-[4-[2-(piperidin-1-yl)ethoxy]benzoyl]-1,2-dihydronaphthalene, 3 -(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4-[4-[2-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)ethoxy]benzoyl]-1,2-dihydronaphthalene, 3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4-[4-[2-(hexamethyleneimin-1-yl) benzoyl] -1,2-dihydronaphthalene, 3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4-[4-[2-(piperidin-1-yl)ethoxy]benzoyl]-l,2-dihydronaphthalene, 3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4-[4-[2-(piperidin-1-yl)ethoxy]benzoyl]-7-methoxy-1,2-dihydronaphthalene, and 3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4-[4-[2-(N-methyl-1-pyrrolidinium) ethoxy]benzoyl]-1,2-dihydronaphthalene, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof.
 11. A method as claimed in claim 8 employing a compound wherein NR^(a) R^(b) is di(C₁ -C₆ alkyl)amino, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof.
 12. A method as claimed in claim 11 employing a compound selected from the group consisting of 3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4-[4-(2-dimethylaminoethoxy)benzoyl]-l,2-dihydronaphthalene, 3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4-(4-diethylaminoethoxybenzoyl)-1,2-dihydronaphthalene, and 3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4-(4-diisopropylaminoethoxybenzoyl)-1,2-dihydronaphthalene, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof.
 13. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the physiological disorder associated with an excess of tachykinins is selected from the group consisting of anxiety, depression, psychosis, and schizophrenia.
 14. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the physiological disorder associated with an excess of tachykinins is selected from the group consisting of dementia, Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis and cerebral stroke.
 15. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the physiological disorder associated with an excess of tachykinins is selected from the group consisting of adult respiratory distress syndrome, bronchopneumonia, bronchospasm, and asthma.
 16. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the physiological disorder associated with an excess of tachykinins is selected from the group consisting of urinary incontinence, emesis, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, psoriasis, fibrositis, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis.
 17. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the physiological disorder associated with an excess of tachykinins is pain or nociception.
 18. A method as claimed in claim 14 wherein the physiological disorder associated with an excess of tachykinins is persistent pain, migraine, or post-operative pain. 